Philly Pops to Present CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR, 12/6; Full Performance Schedule Announced

PHILADELPHIA, PA (October 2, 2014) - Philadelphia's treasured musical tradition - The Philly POPS Christmas Spectacular - returns to Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for eight festive performances from December 6-20, 2014, led by Britain's celebrated Philadelphia-raised conductor David Charles Abell, who is back by popular demand with The Philly POPS. As The POPS' exceptional musicians present beloved seasonal tunes in exciting arrangements, each concert also features three spectacular choirs and the ever-popular audience sing-along, in a rousing program guaranteed to please audience members of all ages. For 2014, The Philly POPS is pleased to welcome Broadway's renowned Phantom Hugh Panaro, a Philadelphia native, who makes his POPS debut during this annual family favorite.

The 2014 Christmas Spectacular concert series premieres on December 5th with a private invitation-only event called I'll Be Home for Christmas Spectacular - A Salute to the Military and First Responders. With the help of sponsors, the POPS will provide 2,000 complimentary tickets to members of the military through the Liberty USO and to members of the Philadelphia Police and Fire Departments as a symbol of gratitude for these individuals who serve Philadelphia and the nation all year long.

The series continues on the following dates:

· Sat., Dec. 6 - 3 p.m.

· Sun., Dec. 7 - 3 p.m.

· Wed., Dec. 10 - 8 p.m.

· Sat., Dec. 13 - 3 p.m.

· Sun., Dec. 14 - 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

· Wed., Dec. 17 - 8 p.m.

· Fri., Dec. 19 - 3 p.m.

· Sat., Dec. 20 - 3 p.m.

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is located at 300 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19102. Tickets may be purchased in person through the Kimmel Center Box Office, online through phillypops.org, or by phone at 215.893.1999.

An amazing group of talented performers return to Christmas Spectacular in 2014:

David Charles Abell

David Charles Abell is widely considered Europe's premier interpreter of Broadway scores and the music of Leonard Bernstein. He is admired worldwide for two televised orchestral presentations of Les Miserables staged for the 10th and 25th anniversaries of that landmark musical. With Abell's passion for musical theater and his engaging personality, POPS audiences look forward to reconnecting with Abell during holiday season.

Hugh Panaro

Guest vocalist Hugh Panaro spent many of his formative years living in Philadelphia. An East Oak Lane resident, he began performing at the age of 13 and studied voice with Robert Grooters at Temple University'sBoyer College of Music and Dance. He was quickly drawn to Broadway, where he made his debut in Les Miserables as Marius, a role he originated in the first U.S. national touring company. He has performed in many theatrical performances on Broadway and throughout the country, performed with various symphonies, and toured with Barbra Streisand, but he might be best known for his performances in Phantom of the Opera. He is one of the few actors to play both the roles of Raoul (1991) and the Phantom (1999) in the Broadway production.

Peter Richard Conte

They are Philadelphia's beloved organist Peter Richard Conte, well known for his performances on the historic Wanamaker organ, will showcase the amazing expressive ability of the massive pipe organ built into Verizon Hall.

Choirs

• The world-renowned Philadelphia Boys Choir is featured in the reverential hymn "Ave Maria."
• The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas Gospel Choir, an ensemble from the historic congregation in West Philadelphia, returns with rousing arrangements of praise music.
• The Pops Festival Chorus - over 100 voices of the best amateur singers chosen by audition - has an honored place in the program, joining the orchestra in spectacular arrangements of carols the audience loves to hear.
• The final "choral group" is the audience itself! POPS guests look forward to the annual invitation to sing along during a 7-minute set, with the lyrics to all of the tunes printed in the program.

Tickets are on sale now for the entire 2014-2015 Philly POPS season. Performances take place in Verizon Hall at The Kimmel Center of the Performing Arts at 300 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19102. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Kimmel Center Box Office, online through phillypops.org, or by phone at 215.893.1999.

About The Philly POPS

It's an all-new Philly POPS®, playing the music audiences know and love to hear. Now in its 36th season, The Philly POPS, presented by Encore Series, Inc., continues to enjoy revitalized energy under the music direction of Maestro Michael Krajewski. The combined leadership of Krajewski and Philly POPS President Frank Giordano has brought record-breaking sales to The Philly POPS, the largest stand-alone POPS orchestra in America. Highly respected throughout the United States and Canada, Krajewski holds similar posts with the Atlanta, Houston, and Jacksonville Symphonies and guest conducts internationally. The orchestra boasts a blend of talented musicians from the musically rich Philadelphia region and entertains audiences with an eclectic mix of musical genres - from Broadway to the Beatles, from Gershwin to the BeeGees and beyond. The Philly POPS performs in Verizon Hall at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S. Broad Street in Philadelphia, throughout the tri-state region, and in New York. The Philly POPS is proud to be a founding resident company of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. For more information about The Philly POPS and its 2014-2015 season schedule, please visit www.phillypops.org.